Any book recommended by Iain M. Banks has got to be worth a read and this one was worth it. The first in a trilogy – Humanity's Fire – it tells the stAny book recommended by Iain M. Banks has got to be worth a read and this one was worth it. The first in a trilogy – Humanity's Fire – it tells the story of a human community escaped from a doomed Earth making their way on an alien planet. Living alongside it's indigenous peoples when suddenly they are discovered by outside aliens and their world, their history and their future begins to unravel......more

It's a Geek's Science Fiction / Crime novel. Initially I found the overuse of IT jargon was trying to be too clever for its own good, but eventually IIt's a Geek's Science Fiction / Crime novel. Initially I found the overuse of IT jargon was trying to be too clever for its own good, but eventually I got over that and started to enjoy the book.

Rule 34 states that for whatever you can imagine, there will be porn for it on the Internet. A series of murders, a psychotic character appears on the streets, the local Internet Meme division of Scotland's Police force are trying to tie all the loose ends together....more

I bought this trilogy while I was at University (a fabulous second hand bookshop where you could return other books to count towards new purchases) anI bought this trilogy while I was at University (a fabulous second hand bookshop where you could return other books to count towards new purchases) and I remembered enjoying them at the time. In the intervening years the trilogy has grown somewhat – Piers Anthony has a tendency to keep extending series beyond his original intent.

A great idea, well constructed. Both a science-fiction universe and a fantasy universe in the same book. They overlap and some people can even move between the two worlds. The trilogy follows the main character of Stile as he discovers the fantasy world and his attempts to manage responsibilities in both worlds.

Not particularly challenging or complex in style, but the ideas are all intriguing and well presented, and the pace remains high and the story is fun and engaging....more

Following Stile further as he continues the struggles from Split Infinity. Trying to complete a series of competitions to win his freedom in one worlFollowing Stile further as he continues the struggles from Split Infinity. Trying to complete a series of competitions to win his freedom in one world while trying to understand his new position and powers in the other. All while trying to avoid getting killed and working out who's trying to kill him. Phew!

While it doesn't really stand alone as a book, it's a good continuation of the series and keeps the intrigue and revelations coming....more

The conclusion of the Apprentice Adept trilogy. Although that trilogy seems to have grown somewhat since the first time I read the first three. Now itThe conclusion of the Apprentice Adept trilogy. Although that trilogy seems to have grown somewhat since the first time I read the first three. Now it's a seven part series: two trilogies and a finale apparently.

The end of the first trilogy ties up all the loose ends. The ending isn't ever in any doubt – the good guys win, the bad guys lose. The journey is the fun. Now I'm gonna have to find the rest of the series aren't I?...more

It seems I've read several of the Culture novels, but apparently not in the right order, and apparently not including the first one. Until now.

The firIt seems I've read several of the Culture novels, but apparently not in the right order, and apparently not including the first one. Until now.

The first Culture novel, is strange in that it's not really about the Culture at all. Instead it's a story set on the outskirts of an ongoing Culture war. Horza, the main character and more or less hero, doesn't really believe in either side but he's anti-culture and therefore he fights for the other side. The book provides a good explanation though of Culture culture, albeit from the point of view of somebody who stands against those principles and behaviours. It also provides an introduction to one of the main recurring themes of later Culture novels which are the AI run ships that choose their own names....more

Set during the episode where Hiro goes back in time to save Charlie. This novel follows the back story that the episode didn't show. Unfortunately, itSet during the episode where Hiro goes back in time to save Charlie. This novel follows the back story that the episode didn't show. Unfortunately, it's a generally pretty tedious attempt to cash-in on the 'success' of the Heroes franchise. If only the series had been cancelled before this book got the green-light......more

I'll be honest, I didn't really get it. As a huge fan of a lot of his other work (I'll resist the urge to suggest I'm a fan of Dick). And, I wanted toI'll be honest, I didn't really get it. As a huge fan of a lot of his other work (I'll resist the urge to suggest I'm a fan of Dick). And, I wanted to love it, I really did. I just didn't get it.

Fighting a war, so far away that each tour of duty for you means centuries have passed back on Earth. On your way to the front your enemy has advancedFighting a war, so far away that each tour of duty for you means centuries have passed back on Earth. On your way to the front your enemy has advanced their military technology far ahead of your expectations. Then, on your return home to find that everybody you left behind has gone, society has changed dramatically and you have to try and learn to re-integrate again. What else is left for you, but to sign up for another tour of duty...

The Forever War is a book of its time, influenced heavily by the author's time in Vietnam, and I suspect a lot of the impact that led to its Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards has waned. Underneath that though, is a good, well thought out, novel exploring the social issues caused by the time differences and the ultimate purposelessness of war itself....more

Neal Stephenson is one of those authors that people keep recommending, once they get over the shock that I've never read any before that is. So I deciNeal Stephenson is one of those authors that people keep recommending, once they get over the shock that I've never read any before that is. So I decided to jump in, with the massive tome that is Anathem. In hardcover, it's a chunky beast and allows a nice series of weight based exercises if you're reading it on a plane and want to avoid DVT.

Anathem is not an easy read, but one that rewards you if you put in the effort. The effort to understand that Stephenson has made up some new words to replace words for things you already knew. Presumably this is to remind you that this isn't Earth - although he could have just told you that. There aren't many works of fiction that feel they need an introductory 'Note to the Reader' as well as a Glossary and three Appendices. But instead of getting in the way, I actually found I appreciated the extra effort he'd obviously gone to build this whole world around his story....more